Before I start, I do not want Irish to be relegated but I accept that given our current position any other outcome is becoming extremely unlikely. Additionally I think that promotion and relegation are a good thing for competition but given today's headlines that's probably a totally different blog!
Irish have been relegated once before, last season and it given the team a chance to renew, some players left, a new coaching set up was brought in and things were looking positive.
This season however for whatever reason that was not to be, so what's the issue with relegation again?!
In the interests of balance on the down side staff are likely to lose their job, this hurts me and it will be sad to see them go as I'm far concerned they are every bit of the club as any one else and they are being punished for essentially something they have no control over. Alongside that Irish will lose even more money, the Championship is ridiculously under funded and I think we set clubs up to fail in that regard, this will inevitably lead to some kind of talent drain which Irish have experienced far too often recently. Finally I do not think Irish deserve to be in that league, last season we shown on the whole we are better than most opposition and this season we have been so much more competitive in games which 3 years ago we would have been smashed in, we just aren't there yet.
But I don't think it's the end of the world, firstly I really enjoyed the Championship last year, different clubs, grounds and all the fans welcomed us with open arms even if we were the team to beat. Being back in the Championship gave us a reality check but it was also showed me in particular the wealth of quality on display in the Championship which I now keep an eye on through what media is available, if this was televised more, I would definitely watch it regardless of what league Irish were in, first and foremost I am a fan of rugby!
Secondly many younger players got a run out which I would argue they wouldn't have in the Prem, Big Joe for example I see having a big future if given plenty of game time. I'm not so sure he would have been played as much or at least given an opportunity if we weren't in the Championship.
Lastly I think Irish now know what's expected of them on promotion if it's still here at the end of next season. This year has been a learning curve for many and despite it being ideal to retain Premiership status a year in the Championship will let us consolidate and build with much more knowledge and experience than we had before.
My one hope and concern however if the promotion door being sealed shut, it will be a huge loss to English club rugby and effectively kill off any real competitive club rugby outside the Prem.
Relegation is not ideal but it keeps the league competitive throughout and as long as Irish the club I hold dear keep the faith and play rugby I will still support them.
Irish have been relegated once before, last season and it given the team a chance to renew, some players left, a new coaching set up was brought in and things were looking positive.
This season however for whatever reason that was not to be, so what's the issue with relegation again?!
In the interests of balance on the down side staff are likely to lose their job, this hurts me and it will be sad to see them go as I'm far concerned they are every bit of the club as any one else and they are being punished for essentially something they have no control over. Alongside that Irish will lose even more money, the Championship is ridiculously under funded and I think we set clubs up to fail in that regard, this will inevitably lead to some kind of talent drain which Irish have experienced far too often recently. Finally I do not think Irish deserve to be in that league, last season we shown on the whole we are better than most opposition and this season we have been so much more competitive in games which 3 years ago we would have been smashed in, we just aren't there yet.
But I don't think it's the end of the world, firstly I really enjoyed the Championship last year, different clubs, grounds and all the fans welcomed us with open arms even if we were the team to beat. Being back in the Championship gave us a reality check but it was also showed me in particular the wealth of quality on display in the Championship which I now keep an eye on through what media is available, if this was televised more, I would definitely watch it regardless of what league Irish were in, first and foremost I am a fan of rugby!
Secondly many younger players got a run out which I would argue they wouldn't have in the Prem, Big Joe for example I see having a big future if given plenty of game time. I'm not so sure he would have been played as much or at least given an opportunity if we weren't in the Championship.
Lastly I think Irish now know what's expected of them on promotion if it's still here at the end of next season. This year has been a learning curve for many and despite it being ideal to retain Premiership status a year in the Championship will let us consolidate and build with much more knowledge and experience than we had before.
My one hope and concern however if the promotion door being sealed shut, it will be a huge loss to English club rugby and effectively kill off any real competitive club rugby outside the Prem.
Relegation is not ideal but it keeps the league competitive throughout and as long as Irish the club I hold dear keep the faith and play rugby I will still support them.
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